Electronic case for electronic spectacles

ABSTRACT

An electronic case for electronic spectacles may include a base comprising a cavity formed therein. A first spectacle retention device may be located within the cavity. The first spectacle retention device may be configured to retain spectacles. An electrical control system may be included. An electrical connector may be configured to couple the electrical control system in electronic communication with the spectacles.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/662,805, filed May 10, 2022, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/302,479, filed May 4, 2021, now U.S. Pat. No.11,366,341, issued Jun. 21, 2022, the disclosures of which areincorporated, in their entirety, by this reference.

BACKGROUND

Prior cases for electronic spectacles can be less than ideal in at leastsome respects. Electronic spectacles (hereinafter “eSpecs”) arespectacles that use electronics to provide images to an eye of thewearer. Electronic spectacles may be used to provide simulation to apatient's eyes, such as to the retina, to treat refractive errors of thepatient's eyes. Prior electronic cases for charging spectacles can beless than ideal for a number of reasons. The prior electronic cases maynot provide for easy charging and monitoring of the status and usage ofelectronic spectacles associated with the electronic cases. This mayresult in problems, such as a patient's failure to use the electronicspectacles, premature energy depletion in the electronic spectacles,poor tracking of the patient's compliance with a prescribed amount ofstimulation, and other issues.

SUMMARY

The electronic case disclosed herein, and the disclosed method ofassembly and use with electronic spectacles, provide for an electronicspectacle case comprising components that can be configured in many waysand may comprise one or more of display and indicator components, userinterface components, programming components, monitoring components, andpower components. In some embodiments, the programming components of thecase are used to configure the stimulation provided by the electronicspectacles. In some embodiments, the monitoring components receive orread information from the electronic spectacles to determine thepatient's use and compliance with treatment and may transmit thisinformation to a medical provider or display a summary of theinformation using indicator components. The programming and monitoringcomponents provide more accurate control of the stimulation andmonitoring of patient's use.

Protection of the electronic spectacles is also improved. By providing acase for charging and programming the electronic spectacles, thespectacles may remain in a protective environment during charging,programming, and monitoring. Thereby, reducing the risk of accidentaldamage to the electronic spectacles.

An electronic case for electronic spectacles may include a basecomprising a cavity formed therein. A first spectacle retention devicemay be located within the cavity. The first spectacle retention devicemay be configured to retain spectacles. An electrical control system maybe included. An electrical connector may be configured to couple theelectrical control system in electronic communication with thespectacles.

An electronic case for electronic spectacles may include a processor anda non-transitory computer readable medium configured with instructionsthat when executed by the processor cause the processor to performoperations. The operations may include receiving spectacle stimulationconfiguration data, transmitting the spectacle stimulation configurationdata to the electronic spectacles, receiving patient stimulation datafrom the electronic spectacles, and indicating patient compliance basedon the received patient stimulation data.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the features, advantages and principles of thepresent disclosure will be obtained by reference to the followingdetailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, and theaccompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 shows an electronic case for electronic spectacles, in accordancewith some embodiments;

FIG. 2A shows an insert for an electronic case, in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 2B shows a cross-section of the rim of an insert for an electroniccase, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 2C shows a light guide or an indicator, in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 3 shows components of an electronic case, in accordance with someembodiments;

FIG. 4 shows electronic spectacles for use with an electronic case, inaccordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 5 shows a top view and a cross section of an electronic case withelectronic spectacles, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 6 shows a system diagram of an electronic case and electronicspectacles, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 7 shows a method of using the electronic case, in accordance withsome embodiments; and

FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13 shows steps of a method of assembling anelectronic case, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description and provides a better understandingof the features and advantages of the inventions described in thepresent disclosure in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein.Although the detailed description includes many specific embodiments,these are provided by way of example only and should not be construed aslimiting the scope of the inventions disclosed herein.

The presently disclosed methods and apparatus can be configured in manyways to provide an electronic case for electronic spectacles and to makeand use an electronic case, as described herein.

The presently disclosed methods and apparatus are well suited forcombination with many prior devices such as, one or more of anophthalmic device, a spectacle lens, a virtual reality (VR) display oran augmented reality (AR) display. For example, the systems, methods,and devices disclosed in PCT/US2020/044571, entitled “Device forProjecting Images on the Retina”, filed on Aug. 5, 2020, andincorporated herein by reference in its entirety, are well suited forcombination in accordance with the present disclosure.

Although specific reference is made to electronic cases for spectaclelenses, the presently disclosed methods and apparatus are well suitedfor use with any of the aforementioned devices, and a person of ordinaryskill in the art will readily appreciate how one or more of thepresently disclosed components can be interchanged among devices, basedon the teachings provided herein.

The presently disclosed methods and apparatus are well suited for usewith lenses for light therapy to treat refractive error of the eye totreat myopia. Work in relation to the present disclosure suggests thatchanges to choroidal thickness in response to stimulation on regions ofthe eye can be localized to regions near the stimulated regions, whichcan provide a somewhat localized response in accordance with someembodiments. In some embodiments, the changes to one or more of thechoroid or sclera comprise a differential change, in which the changesto the one or more of the choroid or sclera are greater near the regionsof stimulation than at corresponding regions remote from the stimulation(e.g. corresponding locations at an axis 90 degrees from the region ofstimulation).

Work in relation to the present disclosure suggests systems and methodsfor treating refractive errors of the eye may benefit from the use of anelectronic case for programming, monitoring usage, and chargingelectronic spectacles.

FIG. 1 shows an electronic case for electronic spectacles. Theelectronic case 100 includes a base 112 and a lid 110. The base 112includes a cavity 122 for receiving and storing a pair of electronicspectacles. The lid 110 may be attached to the base 112 via a hinge 116.During use, a pair of electronic spectacles is placed within the base112. After placing the electronic spectacles in the base, the lid may beswung closed to enclose the electronic spectacles safely within the case100.

The lid 110 may comprise a plurality of parts. For example, the lid 110shown in FIG. 1 includes an outer shell 111 and a lid insert 114. Theouter shell 111 may include an outer surface made of a hard or impactresistant material. The lid insert 114 may be also be made from a hardor impact resistant material. In some embodiments, the insert may becoated with a softer material in order to avoid scratching anyelectronic spectacles within the case. The lid insert 114 may include acavity or well 118 formed therein. The well 118 forms the upper portionof the interior cavity of the case for holding the electronic spectacleswhen the lid 110 is closed. The well 114 may be surrounded by a rim 113that extends inward from the case lid insert 114. The rim 113 may belocated about a perimeter of the lid insert 114.

A hinge 116 may couple the lid to the base. The hinge 116 may be any ofmany types of hinges. For example, the hinge may be a butt hinge, apiano hinge, or a living hinge. In some embodiments, a first hinge 116may connect the case lid to the case base and a second hinge may beformed in the lid insert in order to cover the first hinge. In someembodiments, the first hinge may be a butt hinge or piano hinge and thesecond hinge may be a living hinge. In some embodiments, the first hingeis made of metal and the second hinge may be made of a polymer and maybe integrally formed with the lid insert 114, the base insert 120, orboth.

In some embodiments, a length of the case 100 may extend along a longestlinear dimension of the case 100 and may extend parallel to a pivot axisof the hinge 116. A width of the case 100 may extend perpendicular tothe length, such as from a side of the case 116 with the hinge towards aside opposite the hinge 116. A height of the case 100 may extendperpendicular to a plane formed by the length and width and may extendalong a depth of the cavity 122.

The base 112 may comprise a plurality of parts. For example, the base112 shown in FIG. 1 includes an outer shell 115 and a base insert 112.The outer shell 115 may include an outer surface made of a hard orimpact resistant material. The base insert may also be made from a hardor impact resistant material. In some embodiments, the insert may becoated with a softer material in order to avoid scratching theelectronic spectacles when they are placed within the case. The baseinsert 115 may include a cavity or well 122 formed therein. The cavity122 forms the lower portion of the interior cavity of the case forholding the electronic spectacles. The cavity 122 may be surrounded by arim 121 that extends inward from the outer perimeter of the base insert120.

The base insert and the base cavity 122 may be configured with manyshapes and features. In some embodiments, the base insert 120 mayinclude one or more spectacle retention structures 123. The spectacleretention structures 123 may be shaped or configured to support orretain the spectacles within the base cavity 122.

Spectacle retention structure 123 a shown on the right side of the baseinsert 120 extends from an inner sidewall of the base insert 120 intothe base cavity 122. The spectacle retention structure 123 a may includea shelf configured to receive and support the end piece and/or hinge ofa pair of spectacles, for example as shown in FIG. 5 , discussed herein.The surface of the shelf may be substantially parallel to a bottom innersurface of the base cavity 122. In some embodiments, the shelf extendsfrom the front of the base cavity 122 to the back of the base cavity122, such as from a front side wall to a back side wall of the basecavity 122. The shelf may extend along a width of the cavity 122. Theshelf may have a height that is about the distance from a bottom of aspectacle frame at the lens portion of the spectacles to a bottom of atemple or end piece portion of the spectacles that are to be placed inthe case 100. The shelf may have a length that extends from a sidewallof the cavity that is about the width of an end piece or temple of thespectacles.

In some embodiments, the base insert 120 may include a second spectacleretention structure 123 b. The second spectacle retention structure 123b may extend from a sidewall and/or the bottom surface of the cavity 122and may include a protrusion. The protrusion may extend along a heightor depth of the case 100. A channel or well may be formed between theprotrusion and the sidewall of the cavity 122. The channel or well mayengage with an end piece of the spectacles in order to retain thespectacles within the channel or well. The protrusion may have a heightthat is greater than the distance from a bottom of a spectacle frame atthe lens portion of the spectacles to a bottom of a temple or end pieceportion of the spectacles that are to be placed in the case 100. Theprotrusion may have a width that corresponds to a length of an endportion of the spectacle. In some embodiments, the height may be lessthan or equal to the distance between a temple piece and the lensportion of a spectacle frame when the temple piece is in a closedposition, for example as shown in FIG. 5 . The protrusion may have adepth

In some embodiments, the base insert 120 may include a third spectacleretention structure 123 c. The third spectacle retention structure 123 cmay extend from a sidewall and/or a bottom surface of the cavity 122.The retention structure 123 c may extend along a height or depth of thecase 100. In some embodiments, the retention structure 123 c may form ashelf. In some embodiments, the retention structure 123 c has a heightthat is about the distance from a bottom of a spectacle frame at thelens portion of the spectacles to a bottom of a temple or end pieceportion of the spectacles that are to be placed in the case 100. In someembodiments, the retention structure 123 c has a length that isconfigured to extend along and support the lower surface of a templepiece of a spectacle frame.

In some embodiments, the base insert 120 may include a protrusion 126that extends from a bottom surface of the base cavity 122. In someembodiments, the protrusion may also extend from a front side wall ofthe base cavity 122. In some embodiments, the protrusion may have alength that is less than the length of the base cavity and/or the lengthof the bottom surface of the base cavity 122. In some embodiments, theprotrusion may have a width that is less than the width of the basecavity and/or the width of the bottom surface of the base cavity 122. Insome embodiments, a channel is formed between the protrusion, the bottomsurface, and a back sidewall of the cavity 122. The channel may be sizedand shaped to receive the lens frames of the spectacles when thespectacles are placed in the cavity 122. Channels may also be formedbetween the left and right sidewalls of the base cavity and theprotrusion. These channels may be sized and shaped to receive the templetips, sometimes referred to as earpiece of the spectacle frames. In someembodiments, the protrusion may include a shelf which has a heightextending from the bottom surface of the cavity. The height may bebetween 1 mm and 20 mm. In some embodiments, the height may be between 1mm and 10 mm. In some embodiments, the height may be between 1 and 5 mm.In some embodiments, the channels may have a depth extending from anupper surface of the protrusion to the lower surface of the cavity. Thedepth may be between 1 and 20 mm. In some embodiments, the depth is lessbetween 1 and 10 mm.

The case 100 may include an electrical connector 124 for coupling theelectronic circuits of the case to the electronic circuits of thespectacles. In some embodiments, the electrical connector 124 mayinclude both electrical and mechanical connectors. For example, theelectrical connector 124 includes four electrical contacts, such aspins, that connect to electrical contacts, such as pads, on thespectacles. The electrical contacts may provide electrical power fromthe case to the spectacles, such as for charging batteries within thespectacles, and may also provide electrical communication between thecase and the spectacles, for example, for programming the stimulationprovided by the spectacles and for receiving patient compliance datafrom the spectacles. The mechanical connections may include magnets inthe electrical connector 124 with a polarity that is configured toattract corresponding magnets in the spectacle frames. In this way, theelectrical connector 124 may be mechanically coupled to a correspondingelectrical connector on the spectacle frame. In some embodiments, theelectrical connector may have a shape, such as a rectangular shapewherein the small sides are radius with a radius equal to half of thedimension of the small sides. In some embodiments, the radius may bebetween one half and one quarter the dimension of the small sides. Insome embodiments, the dimension may be a distance between the longsides. In some embodiments, the shape may be referred to as a stadiumshape which comprises a rectangle with semi circles at a pair ofopposite ends of the rectangle. In some embodiments, the spectacle framemay have a recess with a shape that corresponds to the shape of theelectrical connector 124 in order to receive the electrical connectortherein.

The case 100 may also include a user interface and display system. Insome embodiments, the user interface and display system may includeindicators 130, 132, 140, 142, and 146. In some embodiments, the casemay also include a user interface for programming the case and theelectronic spectacles. The user interface for programming may be locatedin many places, for example, on a bottom side of the case and describedherein with respect to FIG. 3 . The indicators of the user interface maybe located in many positions on the case 100. In some embodiments, theindicators may be located on or about the rim 121 of the case 100. Insome embodiments, the rim may be part of the base insert, as shown inFIG. 1 . In some embodiments, the rim may be part of the shell 115.

The power indicator 130 may provide visual indication of the amount ofenergy remaining in an energy storage device within the case 100. Insome embodiments, the power indicator 130 may include one or more subindicators. The indicator 130 or the sub indicators may include a lightguide positioned on the rim of the case and a light source such as anLED associated with each of the light guides. In the example shown inFIG. 1 , the power indicator 130 includes three sub indicators. Each subindicator may represent a relative quantity of power remaining withinthe energy storage device of the case. For example, with threeindicators each indicator may represent one third the total capacity ofthe energy storage device such that when one indicator is illuminatedthe energy storage device is at or below one third of its energycapacity. When two indicators are illuminated, the energy storage devicemay be between one third and two thirds of its total capacity. Whenthree indicators are illuminated, the energy storage device may be abovetwo thirds of its total capacity, at full capacity, or at greater than90% capacity.

In some embodiments, the indicators may have a plurality of functions.For example, in order to indicate that the energy storage device, suchas a battery or capacitor, is charging and has less than one third ofits total capacity, a single indicator or sub indicator may be blinkingwhereby its illumination is cycled on and off periodically such as aperiod of 1 Hz. Similarly, if the single indicator is illuminated and asecond indicator is blinking, then the energy storage device may becharging and have a charge state of between one third and two thirds itstotal capacity. Finally, if two indicators are illuminated and a thirdindicator is blinking, then the energy storage device may be chargingand have a charge state of greater than one third of its total capacity.

In some embodiments, the power indicator 130 may shaped such thatindicator is viewable when the case is open, for example, when the lidis rotated away from the base, and when the case is closed, for example,when the lid is rotated over the base. In some embodiments, the powerindicator 130 may include light guides with more than one illuminatedsurface. For example, in some embodiments, the light guides of theindicator 130 may include a first surface that faces a first directionthat is covered by the lid when the lid is closed, and a second surfacethat faces a second direction that is not covered by the lid when thelid is in the closed position. In some embodiments, the first directionmay be along the height direction and the second direction may be adirection outward from the perimeter of the case 100. In someembodiments, an angle between the first direction and the seconddirection may be less than 90 degrees.

The case power indicator 130 may interface with a processor of the casethat reads the charge status of the energy storage device, includingboth remaining capacity and whether or not the energy storage device iscurrently being charged. The processor illuminates the case powerindicator 130 appropriately based on the charge status of the energystorage device.

In some embodiments, the case 100 may include a spectacle powerindicator, such as spectacle power indicator 132. The spectacle powerindicator 132 may provide visual indication of the amount of energyremaining in an energy storage device within the spectacles 400. In someembodiments, the spectacle power indicator 132 may include one or moresub indicators. The indicator 132 or the sub indicators may include alight guide positioned on the rim of the case and a light source such asan LED associated with each of the light guides. In the example shown inFIG. 1 , the power indicator 132 includes three sub indicators. Each subindicator may represent a relative quantity of power remain within theenergy storage device of the spectacles 400. For example, with threeindicators, each indicator may represent one third the total capacity ofthe energy storage device such that when one indicator is illuminated,the energy storage device is at or below one third of its energycapacity. When two indicators are illuminated, the energy storage devicemay be between one third and two thirds of its total capacity. Whenthree indicators are illuminated, the energy storage device may be abovetwo thirds of its total capacity.

In some embodiments, the spectacle power indicator may have a pluralityof functions. For example, in order to indicate that the energy storagedevice, such as a battery or capacitor within the spectacles, ischarging and has less than one third of its total capacity, a singleindicator or sub indicator may be blinking whereby its illumination iscycled on and off periodically such as a period of 1 Hz. Similarly, ifthe single indicator is illuminated and a second indicator is blinking,then the energy storage device may be charging and have a charge stateof between one third and two thirds its total capacity. Finally, if twoindicators are illuminated and a third indicator is blinking, and theenergy storage device may be charging and have a charge state of greaterthan one third of its total capacity.

In some embodiments, the power indicator 132 may be shaped such thatindicator is viewable when the case is open, for example, when the lidis rotated away from the base, and when the case is closed, for example,when the lid is rotated over the base. In some embodiments, the powerindicator 132 may include light guides with more than one illuminatedsurface. For example, in some embodiments, the light guides of theindicator 132 may include a first surface that faces a first directionthat is covered by the lid when the lid is closed, and a second surfacethat faces a second direction that is not covered by the lid when thelid is in the closed position. In some embodiments, the first directionmay be along the height direction and the second direction may be adirection outward from the perimeter of the case 100. In someembodiments, an angle between the first direction and the seconddirection may be less than 90 degrees.

In some embodiments, the case power indicator 132 may interface with aprocessor of the case that reads the charge status of the energy storagedevice of the spectacles via the connector 124. The charge status mayinclude both remaining capacity and whether or not the energy storagedevice is currently being charged. The processor may then illuminate thespectacle power indicator 132 appropriately based on the charge statusof the energy storage device. In some embodiments, the processor mayread the charge state of the battery directly via the power connectionsin the connector 124. In some embodiments, the processor of the case maycommunicate with a processor or memory of the spectacles 124 and receivethe charge state information from the processor or memory of thespectacles.

In some embodiments, the case 100 may include a compliance indicator144. Compliance is a measure of the extent to which the patient'sbehavior matches the doctor's recommendations or prescription. Thecompliance indicator 144 may display or otherwise indicate how well apatient is complying with their prescribed or programmed treatment. Theprescribed program treatment may be input into the case in many ways.For example, as discussed elsewhere herein, the case may include aprogramming interface whereby a user can adjust usage settings for thespectacles. In some embodiments, the spectacles in the case may beprogrammed through other means, such as for wirelessly as describedelsewhere herein.

The spectacles may record their use. In some embodiments, the spectaclesmay record the amount of time the spectacles are worn by the patient andturned on to provide stimulation to the patient's eyes. In someembodiments, the spectacles may automatically turn off after theirprescribed or programmed amount of stimulation is applied. In someembodiments, the spectacles may store in memory the amount of time theyhave provided stimulation to a patient's eye. When the spectacles areplaced back in the case after use and connected to the case via theelectrical connection 124, the circuitry within the case, such as itsprocessor, may access memory and/or the processor within the spectaclesto read or otherwise receive the patient usage data stored within thespectacles. The retrieved usage data may be compared to the prescribedor programmed stimulation and an amount of compliance may be determined,such as determining a percentage of compliance by dividing the recordedstimulation provided by the spectacles by the prescribed or programmedstimulation.

The amount of stimulation may be prescribed based on a single day usage,weekly usage, monthly usage, or usage over other time frames. Forexample, the stimulation may be prescribed or programmed as four hoursof stimulation every day. If the patient received at least theprescribed or programmed amount of stimulation, such as four hours ofstimulation, then compliance is considered to be 100%. If the patienthas received less than the prescribed or programmed amount ofstimulation, such as three hours of stimulation, and the patient has 75%compliance. This compliance information may be displayed on thecompliance indicator 144.

In some embodiments, the compliance indicator 144 may include one ormore sub indicators. The compliance indicator 144 or the sub indicatorsmay include a light guide positioned on the rim of the case and a lightsource such as an LED associated with each of the light guides. In theexample shown in FIG. 1 , the compliance indicator 144 includes four subindicators. Each sub indicator may represent a relative amount of apatient's compliance with the prescribed or programmed stimulation. Forexample, with four indicators, each indicator may represent compliancewith one quarter of the prescribed or programmed stimulation such thatone illuminated indicator represents a compliance of at least 25% orbetween 25% and less than 50% compliance. When two indicators areilluminated, the patient may have between 50% and less than 75%compliance with the prescribed or programmed stimulation. When threeindicators are illuminated, the patient may have between 75% and lessthan 100% compliance with the prescribed or programmed stimulation. Whenfour indicators are illuminated, the patient may have complied withgreater than 95% or 99%, such as 100%, of the prescribed or programmedstimulation. In some embodiments, the compliance indicator may includeone or more displays to display the compliance data in numerical format,for example such as with one or more seven segment displays, LED, OLED,or LCD displays.

In some embodiments, the indicators described herein may have more orfewer sub indicators and their illumination may indicate a correspondingfraction of the amount of compliance, energy, or other data. Forexample, with 10 sub indicators each indicator represents 10% complianceor energy.

The compliance indicator and the measurement of patient compliance maybe based on an internal calendar or other time measuring means withinthe case or the spectacles. In some embodiments, the complianceindicator may measure compliance over a manually reset interval. In someembodiments, the case may include a button 140 for resetting thecompliance interval. During use, when the compliance button 140 ispressed, the currently recorded amount of compliance is reset to zero.The spectacles may then begin recording the accumulated amount ofstimulation provided to the patient by the spectacles.

After at least some use by the patient, the patient may place thespectacles back into the case and connect the spectacles to theelectronic connector 124, after which the case may read or otherwisereceived the usage data from the spectacles and display the amount ofcompliance on the compliance indicator 144. If the patient is not fullycomplied with the prescribed or programmed stimulation, then the patientmay take the spectacles out of the case and wear them for additionaltime and later place them back into the case at which time thecompliance indicator may again indicate an updated amount of compliance.At the end of the day or other compliance measuring period of time, thepatient may record the number of illuminated lights or otherwise recordthe amount of compliance indicated and then may press the compliancebutton 142 reset the compliance information back to zero.

The case 100 may also include a status indicator 142. The statusindicator may be a general-purpose indicator that informs the user oferrors or other problems with the case and or the spectacles. Forexample, in some embodiments, the status indicator 142 may be amulticolor status indicator that may be related in different colors toindicate various statuses to the patient or user. For example, thestatus indicator may be illuminated to indicate a communication problembetween the case and the spectacles, a fault within the memory orprocessors of the spectacles and/or the case, or other issues. Theillumination of the status indicator may indicate that a user shouldbring the device to the prescribing doctor or assistance.

The indicators described herein may be single color or multicolor. Insome embodiments, a single-color LED may be placed below or relative toeach indicator or sub indicator and the corresponding light guide inorder to illuminate the corresponding portion of the indicator. In someembodiments, a single multicolor LED or a plurality of different coloredLEDs may be placed below or relative to each indicator or sub indicatorand the corresponding light guide in order to illuminate thiscorresponding portion of the indicator. In some embodiments, the colorsand type of illumination may indicate different statuses to the user.For example, the case power and spectacle power indicators may be asingle indicator or set of sub indicators wherein illuminating the subindicators with a first color indicates the amount of energy remainingin the spectacles while illuminating the indicators with a second colorindicates the amount of energy remaining in the case. In someembodiments, an indicator may the illuminated with a third color toindicate compliance. In this way, a single indicator may be used toindicate energy for the spectacles and the case and patient compliancewith the prescribed or programmed stimulation.

FIG. 2A shows the base insert 120 for the electronic case 100. The baseinsert 120 is shown removed from the shell 115 of the case 100 and showsthe internal mechanical and electrical systems of the case 100. One ormore circuit boards may be located within the case between the shell andthe base insert. In some embodiments, the circuit boards may be coupledto the base insert. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, a first circuitboard, which may be an interface circuit board 162, may be coupled tothe base insert at the rim 121 and a second circuit board, which may bea main logic board 160 that carries a processor and memory, may becoupled to the bottom of the base insert. An electrical coupling 164which may be a ribbon cable, a flexible flat cable (FFC), or a flexibleprinted circuit (FPC) connector, may couple the components of the mainlogic board 160 with the components of the interface circuit board 162.

The main logic board 160 may be arranged in many ways and may includemany components. In some embodiments, the main logic board includes apower input and wired communication input such as the electricalconnection 166. The electrical connection 166 may be accessible fromoutside the case 100 after the case is assembled. The electricalconnection 166 may be a USB connection, a power connection, a FireWireconnection, an ethernet connection, or other serial or parallelcommunication connection. The logic board 160 may include a processorand non-transitory memory for storing data and instructions that whenexecuted by the processor cause the processor to carry out any of themethods or processes described herein. The main logic board may alsoinclude wireless communication components for communicating wirelesslywith other devices such as computers, servers, and electronic spectacles400.

The logic board 160 may also be electrically coupled to the electronicconnection 124, discussed above with respect to FIG. 1 , thatelectrically couples the spectacles 400 to the logic board 160 and thecomponents thereon. A wire bundle 151 may couple the connector 124 tothe logic board 160. In some embodiments, a strain relief 152 may bebuilt into the wire bundle 151. As shown in FIG. 2A, the strain reliefis formed by wrapping the wire bundle 151 around a post formed as partof the base insert 120.

The logic board 160 may also include or be electronically coupled tovoltage regulators and one or more energy storage devices. For example,the case 100 includes an energy storage device 168, which may be abattery. The battery 168 may be physically and electrically coupled tothe logic board 160 and may receive power through the electronicconnection 166. The battery may also supply power through the logicboard and the connector 124 to the spectacles 400. In some embodiments,the energy storage device 168 may be physically coupled to the baseinsert 120. As shown in FIG. 2A, an adhesive 170 which may bedouble-sided tape, clue, epoxy, or other material, it hears or couplesthe energy storage device 168 two the base insert 120. In someembodiments, the energy storage device 168 may be located within arecess formed in the bottom surface of the base insert 120. In someembodiments, the recess 150 in the bottom of the base insert forms theprotrusion 126 in the base cavity 122, see FIG. 1 . In some embodiments,a second adhesive 172 which may be a single-sided foam sheet, may beadhered to a bottom of the energy storage device 168. After assembly thephone sheet may be located between the energy storage device 168 formedthe base shell 115.

The interface logic board 162 may be located about or within the rim 121of the base insert 120. The interface logic board 162 may include inputdevices and indicators. For example, the interface logic board 162 mayinclude light sources such as LEDs that are used to provide theillumination for the indicators 130, 132, and 144. Interface logic board162 may also include an input device such as the button 140 forreceiving user input. The button 140 may be a momentary tactile switchthat is normally open. In some embodiments, a flexible cover may beplaced within an aperture of the rim above the button 140, such that theflexible cover deflects as the user presses their finger on the coverwhich causes the underside of the cover to contact the switch whichregisters the user's input, such as by resetting the compliance monitor.

The interface logic board 162 may follow the contour and shape of therim 121 and/or the perimeter of the base insert 120. In someembodiments, the interface logic board may extend along at least onethird of the rim 121 and/or the perimeter of the base insert 120. Insome embodiments, the interface logic board 162 may be arranged in aplane parallel to the main logic board 160.

FIG. 2B shows a cross-section of the rim 121 of the base insert 120. Theinterface logic board 162 is arranged across a channel 184 formed by therim 121 of the base insert 120. The switch or button Laos be mounted onthe interface logic board 162 and protrude into the channel 184.Similarly, LEDs 180 or other light sources may protrude from theinterface logic board 162 into the channel 184 may be arranged to emitlight into the channel 184. A light guide 182 may be located in achannel between the light sources 180 and apertures 186. The aperturesand the light guide may extend through the wall of the rim 121 betweenthe channel and the location outside the rim 121. The light guide 182may receive the light from the light source 180 and through internallyreflective surfaces, may transmit the light out through the aperture186. In some embodiments, the light guide 180 and apertures 186 may belocated on a first side of the rim 121 such that light is radiated in afirst direction and when the lid of the case is closed the apertures,the light guide 182 is covered, such as shown in FIG. 2B. In someembodiments, the apertures and the light guides may extend from a firstside of the rim to a second side of the rim such that light is radiatedin a plurality of directions and at least a portion of the apertures andthe light guide 182 are exposed when the lid of the case is closed,allowing light to radiate outside the case even when the lid of the caseis closed.

For example, in FIG. 2C, a light guide 182 is shown having a pluralityof elements 184 through which light radiates in a first direction 187which may be occluded by the case lid when the lid is closed and in asecond direction 188 that is not occluded by the case lid when the lidis closed. The light guide 182 shown in FIG. 2C, may be used inconjunction with corresponding apertures formed in the rim 121. In someembodiments, the light guide 182 may be integral to the rim 121 and theinsert 120. In some embodiments, the light guide 182 may be insertedinto the rim and the apertures during assembly as discussed herein.

FIG. 3 shows the programming interface 300 for programming the case andassociated spectacles. In some embodiments, the main logic board 160 maybe accessible through an opening or aperture 310 in the shell 115 of thebase 112. The programing interface 300 may include one or more switches312 mounted on the logic board 160 and accessible through the opening310. The switches may be used to program the stimulation provided by thespectacles 400. The switches may be binary switches wherein they areeither on or off, set to 1 or 0, respectively. In some embodiments, afirst set of switches 312A may be used to program the eyes arestimulated during treatment. With two switches 312A, the case andspectacles may be programmed to provide stimulation to no eyes, the lefteye, the right eye, or both eyes, as shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Eye Stimulus Programming Switch 1 Switch 2 Stimulus Eye 0 0 None0 1 Right Eye 1 0 Left Eye 1 1 Both Eyes

In some embodiments, a second set of switches 312B may be used toprogram the recommended or prescribed duration of treatment. In someembodiments, each single switch may be used to indicate the duration oftreatment. In some embodiments, only one switch may be in the onposition for programming. Table 2 shows one example of the programmingfor stimulus duration.

TABLE 2 Eye Stimulus Programming Switch Switch Switch Switch SwitchSwitch Stimulus 1 2 3 4 5 6 Duration 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Hour 0 1 0 0 0 0 2Hours 0 0 1 0 0 0 3 Hours 0 0 0 1 0 0 4 Hours 0 0 0 0 1 0 5 Hours 0 0 00 0 1 6 Hours

In some embodiments, each switch may be used to program a portion of theduration of treatment. The sum of the durations may be added together todetermine the total stimulus duration. Table 3 shows examples theprogramming for stimulus duration.

TABLE 3 Eye Stimulus Programming Switch 1 Switch 2 Switch 3 Switch 4Switch 5 Switch 6 Stimulus 1 Hour 2 Hours 3 Hours 4 Hours 5 Hours 0.5Hours Duration 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Hour 1 1 0 0 0 1 3.5 Hours 0 0 1 1 0 0 7Hours 0 0 0 1 0 0 4 Hours 0 1 0 0 1 0 7 Hours 1 1 1 1 1 1 15.5 Hours

In some embodiments, after setting the switches in their appropriatestate the settings may be transferred to the case and/or the spectaclesmy pressing a confirmation or programming set button or switch such asbutton 316. Pressing button 316 may cause the processor may case to readthe values of the switches and then program the spectacles 400 with theappropriate stimulation and based on the values of the switches.

In some embodiments, the programming interface may include a statusindicator. The status indicators may illuminate in a first color toindicate it is ready to be programmed, a second color to indicate thatthe case is programmed correctly, such as after the user pressed theprogramming button 216, and a third color to indicate an error inprogramming.

FIG. 4 depicts an electronic spectacle 400 configured to project adefocused image on the retina away from the central field that includesthe macula in order to stimulate a change in choroidal thickness. Theelectronic spectacle 400 may include a pair of lenses 402 that may becorrective lenses to correct for refractive errors of a patient's eye.The lens is 402 may also include optical and electrical components 403for the treatment of refractive errors of the patient's eyes. Thecomponents 403 may include one or more light injectors, lenses, ormirrors for the controlled projection of images onto the patient'sretina, as described in more detail herein.

In some embodiments, for the treatment of spherical refractive errors ofthe eye, the plurality of light sources, such as projection units, arearranged with symmetrically with respect to central axis of thespectacle lens, the center of the spectacle lens, or another location ofthe spectacle lens. The symmetry may be rotational symmetry, such thatthe light sources are arranged on a circumference centered on thelocation of the spectacle lens.

In some embodiments, for example, for the treatment of astigmatism, theelectronic spectacle 400 is configured to project defocused images withrespect to the astigmatic axes of the patient's eye to provide differentamounts of stimulation to different regions of the peripheral retina. Insome embodiments, the light sources such as projection units are locatedalong the astigmatic axis, although the light sources may be located atother locations. The light sources can be configured to providedifferent amounts of stimulation to the peripheral retina in accordancewith the refractive error of the eye. In some embodiments, the lightsources are configured to provide different amounts of illuminationalong different axes in order to promote different changes in choroidaland scleral tissue corresponding to different changes in axial length asdescribed herein. The spectacle lens may comprise an optical zoneconfigured to correct astigmatic refractive errors in accordance withthe first axis and the second axis.

In some embodiments, the spectacle lenses 402 may include an opticalzone that can be appropriately sized for the pupil of the eye and theillumination conditions during treatment. The central optical zone isdesigned to provide emmetropic correction or other suitable correctionto the wearer and may be provided with both spherical and astigmaticcorrection. The central optical zone is circumscribed by an outerannular zone, such as a peripheral zone. The optical zone is configuredto provide refractive correction and can be spherical, toric ormultifocal in design, for example with a visual acuity of 20/20 orbetter.

The spectacle lenses 402 includes a plurality of embedded projectionunits. Each of the plurality of projection units comprises a lightsource and one or more optics to focus light in front of the retina asdescribed herein. Each of the optics may comprise one or more of amirror, a plurality of mirrors, a lens, a plurality of lenses, adiffractive optic, a Fresnel lens, a light pipe or a wave guide.

The spectacles 400 may include two temple portions 404. The templeportion of the spectacles may be connected via a hinge 408 to an endpiece 406. The end piece 406 couples the hinge to the frame of thelenses 402. The temple piece 404 may include a cavity 402 for housingelectrical and control system of the electronic spectacles 400. Anelectrical connection 410 may be included in the spectacles 400. In someembodiments, the electrical connection 410 may be located on a temple404 of the spectacles 400. In some embodiments, the electricalconnection 410 may be located on a bottom side of a temple 404 of thespectacles 400. In some embodiments, the electrical connection 410 maybe located at the component cavity 420.

The spectacles component cavity may comprise a battery, microcontroller,processor, memory, including non-transitory memory, and communicationcircuits, such as wired or wireless communication circuitry and one ormore antennae for electronic communication. Although reference is madeto a battery, the spectacle may comprise any suitable energy storagedevice.

The projection units 12 can be configured to provide defocused images tothe peripheral portion of the retina as described herein and may includelight sources and projection optics. In some embodiments, one or moreprojection optics are configured with the light sources to project adefocused image from the light sources onto the peripheral retina awayfrom the central visual field that includes the macula in order tostimulate a change in choroidal thickness, such as an increase ordecrease in cordial thickness. The one or more projection units can beconfigured to stimulate the retina without degrading central vision andcorresponding images formed on one or more of the foveal or macularregions of the retina. In some embodiments, the one or more projectionoptics do not decrease the image forming characteristics of the visioncorrection optics prescribed to correct refractive errors of thewearers. This configuration can allow the wearer to have good visualacuity while receiving therapy from the defocused images as describedherein.

In some embodiments, the light from light sources of the projectionunits is columnated and focused by one or more projection optics, asdescribed herein. The function of the light sources and the projectionoptics is to substantially collimate the light emitted by the lightsources and focus it at a focus that is designed to be in the front ofor behind the retina to provide appropriate defocus to stimulate achange in choroidal thickness. For myopic defocus, the focused imagesmay appear approximately 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm in front of the peripheralretina and myopic by about 2.0 D to 5.0 D, for example 2.0 D to 4.0 D,or preferably 2.5 D to 3.5 D, for example. For hyperopic defocus, thefocused images may appear approximately 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm behind of theperipheral retina, in order to be hyperopic by about −2.0 D to 5.0 D,for example −2.0 D to −4.0 D, or preferably −2.5 D to −3.5 D, forexample.

In accordance with some embodiments, a spectacle 400 comprisesprojection units which include projection optics and micro-displays asthe light source. The micro-displays may comprise an OLED (organic lightemitting diode) or an array of micro-LEDs. Light emitted by thesedisplays may be Lambertian. In some embodiments, the micro-display isoptically coupled to a micro-optical array that substantially collimatesand focuses the light emanating from the micro-display. Themicro-display may comprise one or more miniaturized pixels. In someembodiments, the micro-display forms an extended array of pixels,characterized by a pixel size and a pixel pitch, in which the pixel sizeand the pixel pitch together correspond to a fill factor of themicro-display. As described herein, each of the pixels may have a sizewithin a range from about 2 microns to about 100 microns, and the pixelpitch may range from 10 microns to 1.0 mm, for example. Thecorresponding fill factor can range from 0.1% to 10%. In someembodiments, the pixel array is optically coupled with a micro-opticarray in order to substantially collimate and focus light from thepixels.

The images created by these displays is defocused and may be placedsymmetrically in four quadrants of the field of view or of the eye (e.g.nasal-inferior, nasal-superior, temporal-inferior andtemporal-superior). The micro displays can be located away from theoptical center of the lens. The central optic of the lens can beselected to bring the wearer to emmetropia. Each micro-display may becircular, rectangular or arcuate in shape and have an area within arange from 0.01 mm2 to 8.0 mm2, for example within a range from 0.04 mm2to 8.0 mm2, for example within a range from 1 mm2 to 8 mm2, orpreferably within a range from 1.0 mm2 to 4.0 mm2, in some embodiments.

The micro-display can be coupled to and supported with the body of thecorrection optic such as the spectacle lens, for example. In someembodiments, the micro-displays and the micro-optic arrays are mountedimmediately adjacent to each other on the same correction optic,separated by a fixed distance in order to project a bundle of rays tothe pupil of the eye, at an orientation such that it forms a defocusedimage at a desired location on the retina as described herein. In someembodiments, the one or more projection optics are mounted on or in theone or more correction optics, such that rays from the projection opticsare refracted through the correction optics. The correction opticsrefract the rays from the projection optics to be convergent ordivergent as helpful for clear vision, so that the micro-optical arraycan provide the desired magnitude of additional power that may be plusor minus, depending on the magnitude and sign of the defocus desired.The micro-display may be monochromatic or polychromatic, for example.

In some embodiments, the projected defocused image can be provided by amicro-display comprising a screen comprising one or more of an LCDscreen, a screen driven by OLEDS (organic light emitting diodes),TOLEDS, AMOLEDS, PMOLEDS, or QLEDS. The screen may appear to the subjectat a far distance of east least 6 meters or more, for example.

FIG. 5 shows a top view and a cross section of an electronic case withelectronic spectacles placed inside. In the top view with the lid open,on the left side of FIG. 5 , the spectacles have been placed in the basecavity of the case 100. The spectacle retention device 123 c provide ashelf on which the left end piece and the left temple of the spectacles400 may rest. Similarly, the spectacle retention device 123 a provides ashelf on which on which the right end piece and the right temple of thespectacles 400 may rest.

The spectacle retention device 123 b may include a protrusion, asdiscussed elsewhere herein. The protrusion may extend between the foldedright temple, the end piece, and the lens frame of the spectacles 400.The protrusion may limit movement of the spectacles 400 within the case100 by engaging with the folded right temple, the end piece, and thelens frame of the spectacles 400. For example, when forces on the caseor spectacles may otherwise cause the spectacles to shift backward orforward within the case (up and down, respectively, in FIG. 5 ) the lensframe or temples of the spectacles may contact the protrusion which maylimit further movement of the spectacles. Similarly, lateral movement(left and right in FIG. 5 ) may be limited by the sidewall of the insertand the protrusion of the spectacle retention device 123 b.

As shown in the cross-section on the right side of FIG. 5 , theprotrusion of the spectacle retention device 123 b, the shelf of thespectacle retention device 123 a, and the sidewall 503 of the insert 120may form a well or channel 502 that receives and retains the end pieceof the spectacles 400.

The lens frames of the spectacles 400 may sit in the channel formedbetween the protrusion 126 and the sidewall 127. Similarly, the templetips may rest on the bottom of the cavity in channels formed between theprotrusion 126 and the left and right sidewalls of the insert 120.

The electrical connector 124 may be configured at a location within thecavity such that when the spectacles 400 are placed within a cavity andengaged by the protrusion of the spectacle retention device 123 b, theconnector 410 on the spectacles 400 may be located proximate to theposition of the electrical connector 124. Magnets within the electricalconnection 410 and the electrical connector 124 may be arranged with apolarity such that when the spectacles are placed in the case 100, themagnets pull the connector 410 of the frame together with the connector124 of the base to complete the connection between the spectacles andthe electoral components of the case. When the spectacles are connectedto the case the spectacles may be charged and programmed by the case andthe case may read information from the spectacles.

FIG. 6 shows a system diagram of an electronic case and electronicspectacles. In some embodiments, the system 600 may include a caseelectronic system 610 and a spectacle electronic system 640. In someembodiments, the system 600 may include a remote server 650. The caseelectronic system 610 and the spectacle electronic system 640 may bereleasably coupled together in electronic communication via theelectrical connection 124 of the case electronic system 610 and theelectrical connection 410 of the spectacle electronic system 640. Theelectrical connections 124, 410 may include four-pin electricalconnectors for the transfer of power and for communication between thecase electronic system 610 and the spectacle electronic system 640. Afirst of the four pins may be a power connection between the caseelectronic system 410 and the spectacle electronic system 640. The firstpin may be a 5v pin configured to carry electrical current from the caseelectronic system 610 to the spectacle electronic system 640 in order tocharge the energy storage device, such as a battery, of the powermanagement system 644 of the spectacle electronic system.

A second and a third of the four pins may be used for electroniccommunication between the case electronic system 610 and the spectacleelectronic system 640. Although labeled FIG. 6 as having one pin fortransmission and one pin for receiving data, the bidirectional nature ofthe communication between the spectacle electronic system 640 and thecase electronic system 610 means that the receive pin on the caseelectronic system 610 is coupled to the transmit pin on the spectacleelectronic system 640 and the transmit pin on the case electronic system610 is coupled to the receive pin on the spectacle electronic system640. In some embodiments, the role of the transmit and receive pins mayvary based on which device initiates communication between the devices.A fourth pin of the four pins may be used as a ground connection. Theground connection may provide a common reference voltage between thespectacle electronic system 640 and the case electronic system 610 inorder to facilitate electronic communication and energy transfer betweenthe case electronic system 610 in a spectacle electronic system 640.

The power management system 616 of the case electronic system 610controls and manages the electrical power for the case electronic system610. The power management system 616 may include an energy storagedevice, such as energy storage device 168, which may be a battery.External power for the case electronic system 610 may be received via anelectrical connection 166, which may be a USB connection. In someembodiments, external power may be provided by an induction chargingsystem connected to and part of the power management system 616. Thepower management system 616 may include voltage regulators and othercomponents for altering and conditioning the external power for use inthe system 600. For example, in some embodiments, the power managementsystem 616 may use the external power to charge the internal batteriesof the case electronic system 610.

In some embodiments, the power management system may include an antennafor wireless power transfer from an external transmitter to the caseelectronic system. Preferably the antenna wirelessly received electricpower at a voltage that is in the range of about 1.1 volts to about 1.8volts. In some embodiments, wireless power transfer may be transferredwith an induction charging system, a near field wireless coupling, or anintermediate field weakly resonance coupled network. In someembodiments, wirelessly transmitted power is processed, for example, byramped up in voltage by one of the microcontrollers before being gatedinto a recharging circuit, which may be part of the power managementsystem, leading to recharging of the internal power source.

In some embodiments, the power management system 616 may receive powerfrom an external power source or an internal energy storage device andoutput power to the components of the case electronic system 610 and thespectacle electronic system 640. In some embodiments, the powermanagement system 616 provides power to the first of the four pins ofthe four-pin connector in order to transmit power to the spectacleelectronic system. The power management system 616 may provideelectrical power at many voltages, such as 5 V for charging batteriesand 1.8 V for powering electronics such as the microcontroller 612 andcommunication system 614.

The case electronic system 610 may also include a microcontroller 612.In some embodiments, the microcontroller contains one or more CPUs, orprocessor cores, along with non-transitory memory for storinginstructions to carry out any processes or methods discussed herein, andprogrammable input/output peripherals, such as a communications systemand other peripherals. In some embodiments, the microcontroller 612 maybe a system on a chip and may include one or more CPUs, or processorcores, memory, input/output ports and secondary storage, and othercomponents such as radio modems or other devices on one or moresubstrates or microchips.

The microcontroller 612 may also be coupled in electronic communicationto the one or more programming switches 312 and programming buttons 316.The microcontroller 612 may read the pressing of the programming buttons316 and then read the status of the programming switches.Microcontroller 612 may then convert the programming switch statuses tostimulation commands or a stimulation configuration and send thestimulation commands or configuration to the spectacles through theelectronic connection 124.

When the spectacles are placed in the case and coupled to the electronicsystem 610, the microcontroller 612 may receive usage information, suchas the duration of stimulation provided by the spectacles, batterystatus information, or other information from the spectacles. In someembodiments, the microcontroller 612 may use the received information toactivate the indicators, such as the energy storage device andcompliance indicators on the case.

In some embodiments, the microcontroller 612 may store usage informationin its memory for a period of time, such as at least one week, onemonth, six months, or a year. In some embodiments, the usage informationmay be converted to compliance data, such as a percentage of prescribedstimulation received by the patient, prior to storage.

In some embodiments, the case electronic system 610 may communicate witha remote server 650. The remote server may be any remote computingdevice, such as a cloud-based storage system, a backend server, ahandheld device such as a smart phone, or a medical practitionercomputing device. In some embodiments, the case electronic system 610receives programming information from the remote server and may providecompliance or usage data to the remote server.

The spectacles 400 may include a spectacle electronic system 640. Thespectacle electronic system 640 may include a power management system644. The power management system 644 of the spectacle electronic system640 controls and manages the electrical power for the spectacles 400.The power management system 644 may include an energy storage device,which may be a battery, capacitor, or other energy storage device.External power for the power management system 644 may be received viaan electrical connection in the electrical connector 410. In someembodiments, external power may be provided by an induction chargingsystem connected to or part of the power management system 644. Thepower management system 644 may include voltage regulators and othercomponents for altering and conditioning power for use in the spectacleselection system 640.

In some embodiments, the power management system 644 may receive powerfrom an internal energy storage device and output power to thecomponents of the spectacle electronic system 640, such as the lightsources used for stimulating the patient's eyes. In some embodiments,the power management system 644 receives power from the first of thefour pins of the four-pin connector and uses the power to charge anenergy storage device within the spectacles 400.

The spectacle electronic system 640 may also include a microcontroller642. In some embodiments, the microcontroller contains one or more CPUs,or processor cores, along with non-transitory memory for storinginstructions that are carried out any other processes or methodsdiscussed herein, and programmable input/output peripherals, such ascommunications interface and other peripherals. In some embodiments, themicrocontroller 642 may be a system on a chip and may include one ormore CPUs, or processor cores, memory, input/output ports and secondarystorage, and other components such as radio modems or other devices onone or more substrates or microchips.

The microcontroller 642 may also be coupled in electronic communicationto the case electronic system 610 and may receive patient stimulationcommands or configurations from the case electronic system 610 throughthe electrical connection 410. After receiving the stimulation commandsor configurations, the microcontroller 642 may configure the spectaclesto provide the requested stimulation. In some embodiments, themicrocontroller also controls the stimulation provided by the lightsources in the spectacle lenses. For example, the microcontroller maycommand the LEDs to turn on and off, adjust the brightness, and the formother functions. The microcontroller 642 may also monitor thestimulation provided by the spectacles 400 and store the duration anamount of stimulation provided. When connected to the case electronicsystem 610, the microcontroller 642 may transmit the stored informationto the case electronic system 610.

In some embodiments, the electronic system 610 of the electronic case100 has internet connectivity, via Bluetooth transmitter, a WiFinetwork, or other means. In some embodiments, the same wirelesstransmitter, which may be part of the communication system or themicrocontroller, may be used for wireless recharging and datatransmission. In some embodiments, the wireless recharging powertransfer and data transition for communication may use the same radiofrequency. Preferably the transfer frequency is selected to be bodysafe, so that the transmitted or received power levels stay withinsafety limits of wireless power transfer. In some embodiments, arelatively low frequency, such as 25 KHz, useful mainly for inductivewireless energy transfer is used. In some embodiments, the charging orcommunication may occur via a sub gigahertz frequency, such as betweenabout 700 MHz and about 800 MHz. Since the data to be transmitted by orto the electronic case is of relatively low volume, a narrow bandwidth,low power network is preferred for this application. Preferably, theelectronic case transmits data to a portable device such as cellulardevice, including a cellular phone, which then transmits the use data toa cloud-based server. Use data may include data on daily compliance,charging status of the case and/or the spectacles, and data onoperational status of the electronic case as well as the spectacles.

FIG. 7 shows a method 700 of using the electronic case. The method 700may start at block 710 wherein the stimulation settings for thespectacles are configured. In some embodiments, the stimulation settingsmay be configured via a user interface on the spectacle case, such aswith the one or more switches discussed herein. The switches may bemanipulated by a user to program the stimulation provided by thespectacles 400. In some embodiments, the switches may be binary switcheswherein they are either on or off, set to 1 or 0, respectively. In someembodiments, a first set of switches may be manipulated by a user toprogram which eye or eyes are stimulated during treatment. In someembodiments, the user may choose between one of four settings tostimulate nowise, to stimulate the left eye, to stimulate the right eye,or to stimulate both eyes.

In some embodiments, a second set of switches may be used to program therecommended or prescribed duration of treatment. In some embodiments,each switch may be used to indicate the duration of treatment. In someembodiments, only one switch may be in the on position for programming.In some embodiments, each switch may be used to indicate the duration oftreatment and the sum of the durations may be added together todetermine the total stimulus duration, as discussed herein.

In some embodiments, after manipulating the switches to the desiredstimulation configuration, the user may initiate programming of thedesired stimulation. For example, in some embodiments, the user maypress a button on the case in order to initiate programming of thedesired stimulation. In some embodiments, the case receives programminginformation from the remote server or a remote device such as a mobiledevice or medical professional's computer.

In some embodiments, the program information is stored in memory withinthe case 100. For example, the microcontroller within the base may causethe program information to be stored within the memory until a pair ofspectacles 400 are placed in and coupled to the case 100.

At block 720, the stimulation settings are transferred to thespectacles. In some embodiments, the spectacles are placed or receivedinto a cavity of the spectacle case 100 and the electronic connection124 of the case is physically and electronically coupled to theelectronic connection 410 of the spectacles 400. In some embodiments,electrical conductors, such as pins, in the electronic connection 124 ofthe case may contact corresponding electrical conductors, such as pads,located on the electronic connection 410 of the spectacles.

After connecting the spectacles to the case, the stimulation programmingor settings may be transferred from the case to the spectacles. In someembodiments, spectacles may read information from the case and thenprogram the stimulation provided by the spectacles based on theinformation from the case. In some embodiments, spectacles may becharged while connected to the case. For example, energy may betransferred from an energy storage device within the case, through theconnectors 124, 410 and to an energy storage device within thespectacles.

After the stimulation settings have been transferred and/or the energystorage device within the spectacles has been charged, the spectaclesmay be removed from the case and used to treat the patient's eyes.

At block 730, the spectacles stimulate the patient's eyes. After thespectacles are programmed and the energy storage device within thespectacles charged, the patient wears the spectacles to stimulate theireyes. In some embodiments, the spectacles are placed on the patient'sface and the microcontroller 644 of the spectacles initiates stimulationaccording to the program stimulation, as discussed herein. For example,the electronic spectacles 400 may project a defocused image on theretina away from the central field that includes the macula in order tostimulate a change in choroidal thickness. The microcontroller 644 ofthe spectacles may control one or more one or more light injectors,lenses, or mirrors for the projection of images onto the patient'sretina, as described in more detail herein.

At block 740, the stimulation provided by the spectacles is recorded. Insome embodiments, the spectacles record the duration of the stimulationprovided to the patient's eye or eyes in internal memory of themicrocontroller. In some embodiments, the spectacles may include a clockand/or a calendar for tracking compliance over a plurality of days,weeks, or months without connection to the case 100.

At block 750, the recorded stimulation is formatted, stored, andtransmitted. In some embodiments, the data representing the recordedstimulation is formatted in a tabulated manner for each day, week, ormonth or other timeframe. In some embodiments, the stimulation data isformatted on the spectacles, while in some embodiments, the stimulationdata is formatted in the case.

After a period of usage, the stimulation data is transferred to the case100. The stimulation data may be transferred to the case via theelectrical connection 410 and the electrical connection 124. Thestimulation data may be stored in memory in the case. In someembodiments, the microcontroller of the case may use the simulation dataand the programmed stimulation configuration to determine an amount ofpatient compliance. In some embodiments, the data may be transmittedwirelessly to a remote device such as a cloud-based database in order tostore the information for later retrieval and analysis by a medicalprofessional.

At block 760, compliance is displayed. In some embodiments, thecompliance information may be displayed on a compliance indicator. Forexample, on a compliance indicator on the case 100. In some embodiments,the compliance indicator may include one or more sub indicators. Thecompliance indicator or the sub indicators may include a light guidepositioned on the rim of the case and a light source, such as an LED,associated with each of the light guides. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the compliance indicator 144 includes four sub indicators. Each subindicator may represent a relative amount of a patient's compliance withthe prescribed or programmed stimulation. For example, with fourindicators each indicator may represent compliance with one quarter ofthe prescribed or programmed stimulation such that one illuminatedindicator represents a compliance of at least 25% or between 25% andless than 50% compliance. When two indicators are illuminated, thepatient may have between 50% and less than 75% compliance with theprescribed or programmed stimulation. When three indicators areilluminated, the patient may have between 75% and less than 100%compliance with the prescribed or programmed stimulation. When fourindicators are illuminated, the patient may have complied with greaterthan 99%, such as 100%, of the prescribed or programmed stimulation. Insome embodiments, the compliance indicator may include one or moredisplays to display the compliance data in numerical format, for examplesuch as with one or more seven segment displays, LED, OLED, or LCDdisplays.

The case 100 may be assembled in many ways. FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and13 shows steps of an embodiment of a method of assembling an electroniccase. At FIG. 8 , the case lid 110 is coupled to the case base 112 via ahinge 116. The case lid and the case base may be made from injectionmolded polymer, directly fabricated polymers, machined metal or polymer,or other material. The hinge may engage with the case lid 110 in casebase 112 and, once engaged resist removal therefrom.

At FIG. 9 the lid insert 114 is coupled to the case lid 112. In someembodiments, the lid insert is adhered to the case lid 110. In someembodiments, the lid insert snaps into the case lid or other mechanicalcouplings are used to couple the case lid to the lid insert.

At FIG. 10 the user interface of the case is assembled into the baseinsert 120. The case lid and the case base may be made from injectionmolded polymer, directly fabricated polymers, machined metal or polymer,or other material. The user interface structures, such as the lightguides 182 and the compliance button 140 may be coupled to the baseinsert 120. In some embodiments, the user interface structures may beinserted into the rim of the base insert.

At FIG. 11 , the interface logic board 162 is assembled and attached tothe base insert 120. Assembling the logic board may include solderingLEDs connectors, and other components onto the interface logic board. Insome embodiments, the interface logic board 162 may be secured to therim of the base insert with one or more screws, such as machine screwsor self-tapping screws. In some embodiments, the interface logic boardmay be secured to the base insert with an adhesive, an epoxy, or otherbonding material.

At FIG. 12 , the main logic board 160, energy storage device 168, andelectronic connection 124 are assembled and attached to the base insert120. Assembling the electronic connection 124 may include passing theconnector through an aperture in the base insert so that a first end ofthe connector that interfaces with the spectacles 400 may be placedwithin the cavity of the base insert. In some embodiments, a strainrelief may be formed with a second end of the electronic connector 124during assembly.

In some embodiments, the logic board 160 assembling the main logic boardmay include soldering LEDs, connectors, processors, memory,communication devices, and other components onto the interface logicboard. In some embodiments, the energy storage device 168 may bemechanically and electrically coupled to the logic board 160 prior toassembling the logic board 160 and the energy storage device 168 withthe base insert 120. In some embodiments, the energy storage device 168is electrically coupled to the logic board 160 after assembly with thebase insert 120. In some embodiments, the energy storage device 168 isadhered to the base insert 120 with an adhesive such as double-sidedtape epoxy glue or other material. In some embodiments, a secondadhesive 172 may be placed on an underside of the energy storage device168. The second adhesive may provide shock or impact dampening and maybe made of a foam or polymer material such as an open cell foam strip.

In some embodiments, the main logic board 160 may be secured to the baseinsert with one or more screws, such as machine screws or self-tappingscrews. In some embodiments, the May logic board 160 logic board may besecured to the base insert with an adhesive, an epoxy, or other bondingmaterial.

At FIG. 13 , the base insert 120 is inserted into the case base 112. Insome embodiments, the base insert is adhered to the case base 112. Insome embodiments, the base insert snaps into the case base or othermechanical couplings are used to couple the case base to the baseinsert. In some embodiments, a living hinge portion 116 of the lidinsert 114 may be coupled to the base insert 120. In some embodiments, aportion of a living hinge portion 116 may be inserted between the baseinsert and the case base 112.

In some embodiments, after assembly, the case 100 may undergo qualitycontrol testing and once passed may be used with the spectacles 400 asdescribed herein.

The term “memory” or “memory device,” as used herein, generallyrepresents any type or form of volatile or non-volatile storage deviceor medium capable of storing data and/or computer-readable instructions.In one example, a memory device may store, load, and/or maintain one ormore of the modules described herein. Examples of memory devicescomprise, without limitation, Random Access Memory (RAM), Read OnlyMemory (ROM), flash memory, Hard Disk Drives (HDDs), Solid-State Drives(SSDs), optical disk drives, caches, variations or combinations of oneor more of the same, or any other suitable storage memory.

In addition, the term “processor” or “physical processor,” as usedherein, generally refers to any type or form of hardware-implementedprocessing unit capable of interpreting and/or executingcomputer-readable instructions. In one example, a physical processor mayaccess and/or modify one or more modules stored in the above-describedmemory device. Examples of physical processors comprise, withoutlimitation, microprocessors, microcontrollers, Central Processing Units(CPUs), Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) that implement softcoreprocessors, Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), portionsof one or more of the same, variations or combinations of one or more ofthe same, or any other suitable physical processor. The processor maycomprise a distributed processor system, e.g. running parallelprocessors, or a remote processor such as a server, and combinationsthereof.

Although illustrated as separate elements, the method steps describedand/or illustrated herein may represent portions of a singleapplication. In addition, in some embodiments, one or more of thesesteps may represent or correspond to one or more software applicationsor programs that, when executed by a computing device, may cause thecomputing device to perform one or more tasks, such as the method step.

In addition, one or more of the devices described herein may transformdata, physical devices, and/or representations of physical devices fromone form to another. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of themodules recited herein may transform a processor, volatile memory,non-volatile memory, and/or any other portion of a physical computingdevice from one form of computing device to another form of computingdevice by executing on the computing device, storing data on thecomputing device, and/or otherwise interacting with the computingdevice.

The term “computer-readable medium,” as used herein, generally refers toany form of device, carrier, or medium capable of storing or carryingcomputer-readable instructions. Examples of computer-readable mediacomprise, without limitation, transmission-type media, such as carrierwaves, and non-transitory-type media, such as magnetic-storage media(e.g., hard disk drives, tape drives, and floppy disks), optical-storagemedia (e.g., Compact Disks (CDs), Digital Video Disks (DVDs), andBLU-RAY disks), electronic-storage media (e.g., solid-state drives andflash media), and other distribution systems.

A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any process ormethod disclosed herein can be modified in many ways. The processparameters and sequence of the steps described and/or illustrated hereinare given by way of example only and can be varied as desired. Forexample, while the steps illustrated and/or described herein may beshown or discussed in a particular order, these steps do not necessarilyneed to be performed in the order illustrated or discussed.

The various exemplary methods described and/or illustrated herein mayalso omit one or more of the steps described or illustrated herein orcomprise additional steps in addition to those disclosed. Further, astep of any method as disclosed herein can be combined with any one ormore steps of any other method as disclosed herein.

The processor as described herein can be configured to perform one ormore steps of any method disclosed herein. Alternatively or incombination, the processor can be configured to combine one or moresteps of one or more methods as disclosed herein.

Unless otherwise noted, the terms “connected to” and “coupled to” (andtheir derivatives), as used in the specification and claims, are to beconstrued as permitting both direct and indirect (i.e., via otherelements or components) connection. In addition, the terms “a” or “an,”as used in the specification and claims, are to be construed as meaning“at least one of” Finally, for ease of use, the terms “including” and“having” (and their derivatives), as used in the specification andclaims, are interchangeable with and shall have the same meaning as theword “comprising.

The processor as disclosed herein can be configured with instructions toperform any one or more steps of any method as disclosed herein.

It will be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,”“third”, etc. may be used herein to describe various layers, elements,components, regions or sections without referring to any particularorder or sequence of events. These terms are merely used to distinguishone layer, element, component, region or section from another layer,element, component, region or section. A first layer, element,component, region or section as described herein could be referred to asa second layer, element, component, region or section without departingfrom the teachings of the present disclosure.

As used herein, the term “or” is used inclusively to refer items in thealternative and in combination.

As used herein, characters such as numerals refer to like elements.

The present disclosure includes the following numbered clauses.

Clause 1. An electronic case for electronic spectacles comprising: abase comprising a cavity formed therein; a first spectacle retentiondevice within the cavity that is configured to retain spectacles; anelectrical control system; and an electrical connector configured tooperatively couple the electrical control system to the electronicspectacles.

Clause 2. The electronic case of clause 1, wherein the first spectacleretention device comprises a shelf configured to receive an end piece ofthe spectacles.

Clause 3. The electronic case of clause 2, wherein the first spectacleretention device further comprises a protrusion that extends from theshelf.

Clause 4. The electronic case of clause 3, wherein the protrusion, theshelf, and a first sidewall of the cavity forms a well for receiving theend piece of the spectacles.

Clause 5. The electronic case of clause 4, further comprising: a secondspectacle retention device within the cavity that is configured toretain spectacles.

Clause 6. The electronic case of clause 5, wherein the second spectacleretention device extends from a second side wall of the cavity, thesecond sidewall being opposite a first sidewall.

Clause 7. The electronic case of clause 1, wherein the shelf is locatedat a distance from a floor of the cavity that is equivalent to adistance from a bottom of the end piece of the spectacles to a bottom ofa lens frame of the spectacles.

Clause 8. The electronic case of clause 4, wherein the well has a widthbetween the protrusion and a first side of the cavity that is greaterthan the width of an end piece of the spectacles.

Clause 9. The electronic case of clause 8, wherein the width is lessthan twice the width of an end piece of the spectacles.

Clause 10. The electronic case of clause 1, wherein the electricalcontrol system further comprises an energy storage device.

Clause 11. The electronic case of clause 10, wherein the energy storagedevice is located beneath a protrusion and the bottom of the cavity.

Clause 12. The electronic case of clause 10, wherein the energy storagedevice is configured to be coupled to the spectacles via the electricalconnector.

Clause 13. The electronic case of clause 12, wherein the electricalcontrol system of the case is configured to provide energy from energystorage device of the case to the spectacles.

Clause 14. The electronic case of clause 1, further comprising aplurality of indicators.

Clause 15. The electronic case of clause 14, wherein a first of theplurality of indicators is a case energy storage status indicator.

Clause 16. The electronic case of clause 15, wherein the electricalcontrol system is configured to illuminate the case energy storagestatus indicator based on the energy stored within the case energystorage device.

Clause 17. The electronic case of clause 15, wherein a second of theplurality of indicators is a spectacle energy storage status indicator.

Clause 18. The electronic case of clause 17, wherein the electricalcontrol system is configured to illuminate the spectacle energy storagestatus indicator based on the energy stored within the spectacle energystorage device.

Clause 19. The electronic case of clause 18, wherein the electricalcontrol system comprises a plurality of light sources, each associatedwith one of the plurality of indicators.

Clause 20. The electronic case of clause 19, further comprising a lid,wherein the plurality of indicators is only partially occluded by thelid when the lid is closed on the base.

Clause 21. The electronic case of clause 19, wherein the lid is coupledto the base with a hinge.

Clause 22. The electronic case of clause 14, wherein one of theplurality of indicators is a patient compliance indicator.

Clause 23. The electronic case of clause 10, further comprising awireless charging system, the wireless charging system configured totransfer power from a source external to the case to the energy storagedevice.

Clause 24. The electronic case of clause 22, wherein the electricalcontrol system is configured to receive spectacle usage data from thespectacles via electrical connector.

Clause 25. The electronic case of clause 24, wherein the electricalcontrol system further comprises a programming interface for receivingspectacle stimulation configuration data.

Clause 26. The electronic case of clause 25, wherein the electricalcontrol system is configured to transmit the spectacles stimulationconfiguration data to the spectacles to configure the spectacles forstimulating a patient eyes.

Clause 27. The electronic case of clause 26, wherein the electricalcontrol system is configured to determine patient compliance based onspectacle usage data and spectacles stimulation configuration data.

Clause 28. The electronic case of clause 27, wherein the electricalcontrol system is configured to illuminate the compliance indicatorbased on the determined patient compliance.

Clause 29. The electronic case of clause 24, wherein the electricalcontrol system further comprises a communication system for wirelesscommunication a remote device.

Clause 30. The electronic case of clause 29, wherein the electricalcontrol system further is configured to wirelessly transmit or receive acompliance data, energy storage status data, or operational data of thecase or spectacles.

Clause 31. The electronic case of any one of clauses 1 to 30, furthercomprising a case insert, wherein the indicators are in the case insert.

Clause 32. The electronic case of clause 31, wherein the case insertfurther comprises a rim, and wherein the indicators are located in therim.

Clause 33. An electronic case for electronic spectacles comprising: aprocessor; and a non-transitory computer readable medium configured withinstructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor toperform operations comprising: receiving spectacle stimulationconfiguration data; transmitting the spectacle stimulation configurationdata to the electronic spectacles; receiving patient stimulation datafrom the electronic spectacles; and indicating patient compliance basedon the received patient stimulation data.

Clause 34. The electronic case of clause 33, wherein a patient eyes arestimulated with the electronic spectacles between the transmitting ofthe spectacle stimulation configuration data and the receiving of thepatient stimulation data.

Clause 35. The electronic case of clause 33, wherein the spectaclestimulation configuration data is received via user input.

Clause 36. The electronic case of clause 35, where the user input is viaa plurality of switches located within a body of the electronic case.

Clause 37. The electronic case of clause 33, wherein the patientstimulation data includes a duration of which stimulation was providedto the patient.

Clause 38. The electronic case of clause 37, wherein the spectaclestimulation configuration data includes a duration for which stimulationshould be provided to the patient.

Clause 39. The electronic case of clause 38, wherein patient complianceis based on the received patient stimulation data and the spectaclestimulation configuration data.

Clause 40. The electronic case of clause 38, wherein the instructionsthat when executed by the processor cause the processor to performoperations further comprising: receiving user input; and resettingpatient compliance data based on the user input.

Clause 41. The electronic case of clause 40, wherein the user input is abutton press.

Clause 42. The electronic case of clause 38, further comprising: anenergy storage device, and wherein the instructions that when executedby the processor cause the processor to perform operations furthercomprising: determining a charge status of the energy storage device.

Clause 43. The electronic case of clause 42, wherein the instructionsthat when executed by the processor cause the processor to performoperations further comprising: visually indicating the charge status ofthe energy storage device

Clause 44. The electronic case of clause 39, wherein the instructionsthat when executed by the processor cause the processor to performoperations further comprising: wirelessly transmit the compliance datato a remote device.

Embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown and described asset forth herein and are provided by way of example only. One ofordinary skill in the art will recognize numerous adaptations, changes,variations and substitutions without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure. Several alternatives and combinations of theembodiments disclosed herein may be utilized without departing from thescope of the present disclosure and the inventions disclosed herein.Therefore, the scope of the presently disclosed inventions shall bedefined solely by the scope of the appended claims and the equivalentsthereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic case for electronic spectacles comprising: a base comprising a cavity formed therein; a first spectacle retention device within the cavity that is configured to retain spectacles; an electrical control system; an inductive charging system configured to inductively charge the electronic spectacles; a wireless communication system configured to operatively wirelessly couple the electronic control system to the electronic spectacles in electronic data communication; and a plurality of indicators, wherein one of the plurality of indicators is a compliance indicator that indicates a patient's compliance with wearing the spectacles.
 2. The electronic case of claim 1, wherein the electrical control system is configured to receive spectacle usage data from the spectacles via the wireless communication system.
 3. The electronic case of claim 2, wherein the electrical control system is configured to determine patient compliance based on spectacle usage data.
 4. The electronic case of claim 3, wherein the electrical control system is configured to illuminate the compliance indicator based on the determined patient compliance.
 5. The electronic case of claim 2, wherein the wireless communication system is configured to illuminate the compliance indicator based on the spectacle usage data.
 6. The electronic case of claim 1, wherein the communication system comprises communication circuitry and an antenna.
 7. The electronic case of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication system further is configured to wirelessly transmit or receive compliance data, energy storage status data, spectacle usage data, or operational data of the case or spectacles.
 8. The electronic case of claim 2, wherein the electrical control system further comprises a programming interface for receiving spectacle stimulation configuration data.
 9. The electronic case of claim 8, wherein the electrical control system is configured to determine patient compliance based on spectacle usage data and the spectacle stimulation configuration data. 